Kinaesthetics

Kinaesthetics-founders Lenny Maietta and Frank Hatch (2011)

Kinaesthetics is an interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to the understanding of body movement and the perception, both conscious and unconscious, of individual body motions. The discipline is deeply rooted in the perception of continuous movement, termed as kinesthesia, which is predominantly unconscious. Attaining a heightened sense of proprioception, or the sense of relative positioning of body parts, can be achieved through conscious awareness and training. Central to kinaesthetics is the cultivation and education of this increased bodily awareness.

Therapeutic applications

Kinaesthetics has therapeutic implications in both occupational therapy and physical therapy. Based on the principles of movement-associated awareness, therapeutic applications of kinaesthetics have been prevalent in the Western world since the mid-1980s. It has seen significant adoption especially in care facilities across Central Europe. An underlying principle is the psychophysiological observation that heightened muscle tone can lead to reduced proprioceptive sensitivity, which is then addressed and fine-tuned through kinaesthetics.

History

Kinaesthetics owes its origins to the pioneering work of Frank White Hatch in the early 1970s. A renowned choreographer and dancer, Hatch ventured into the realm of behavioral cybernetics during his academic stint at Madison/Wisconsin. His deep-rooted interest in movement and dance led him to introduce and promote academic programs named Kinaesthetics across three notable American universities.

Switching gears, Hatch applied his knowledge and techniques to work with disabled children and delve into the domain of rehabilitation. Around the same period, psychologist Lenny Maietta, drawing from behavioral cybernetics, conceptualized a handling-training program designed for young parents.

The collaborative endeavors of Hatch and Maietta in the German-speaking regions began in 1974. Together with dancer John Graham, they organized workshops known as Gentle Dance, emphasizing the gentle and fluid motions central to kinaesthetics.

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